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- Table of Contents
- Top
- Main Differences
- Design
- Typing Experience
- Performance
- Software and Operating System
- Comments
SteelSeries Apex 3 vs ROCCAT Magma
Side-by-Side Comparison
Products
SteelSeries Apex 3
ROCCAT Magma
Tested using Methodology v1.3.1
Updated Nov 27, 2023 05:29 PM
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Amazon.comTested using Methodology v1.0
Updated Nov 08, 2023 02:36 PM
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ConnectivityWired
SizeFull-size (100%)
Switch TypeRubber Dome
N-Key Rollover (NKRO)No
Hot-Swappable SwitchesNo
ConnectivityWired
SizeFull-size (100%)
MechanicalNo
Variants
- Apex 3 (Black)
- Magma (100%)
- Magma Mini (60%)
Our Verdict
SteelSeries Apex 3
ROCCAT Magma
The SteelSeries Apex 3 and the ROCCAT Magma are both similar-performing non-mechanical gaming keyboards. They use rubber dome switches, which feel light, but they require some force to get over the tactile bump. Both have customizable RGB backlighting with only five zones, but the ROCCAT has a semi-transparent base plate that lets more lighting through. The ROCCAT also has a much lower latency and onboard memory, but it lacks the dedicated media keys and volume control wheel that the SteelSeries has. Also, you can only set macros to certain keys on the ROCCAT, while you can set them to any key on the SteelSeries.
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Magma Mini
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Gaming
Threshold
Gaming
7.7
7.7
Backlight Features
8.0
5.7
Single-Key Latency
7.8
8.8
Configuration Software
Computer Compatibility
10
7.2
Full Comparison
Design
Dimensions
Top Picture
Size
Full-size (100%)
Full-size (100%)
Height
1.5" (3.7 cm)
1.3" (3.4 cm)
Width
17.5" (44.4 cm)
17.7" (45.0 cm)
Depth
5.9" (15.0 cm)
6.1" (15.5 cm)
Depth With Wrist Rest
8.8" (22.3 cm)
9.1" (23.0 cm)
Weight
1.76 lbs (0.800 kg)
1.51 lbs (0.684 kg)
Build Quality
7.5
7.0
Build Quality Close Up
Keycap Material
ABS
ABS
Ergonomics
6.0
7.5
Side Picture
Curved/Angled
No
Straight
Split Keyboard
No
Key Alignment
Staggered
Minimum Incline
4°
3°
Medium Incline
N/A
N/A
Maximum Incline
9.5°
6°
Home Row Height
32.7 mm (1.3")
Wrist Rest
Detachable
Hardware Customizability
0.0
Customizability Overview
Replaceable Cherry Stabilizers
No
Stabilizer Fixation
Non-Customizable Design
Spacebar Stabilizer Size
Non-Customizable Design
Size Of Right Mod Keys
Non-Standard
Hot-Swappable Switches
No
Switch Stem Shape
Non-Customizable Design
Switch PCB Socket
Non-Customizable Design
North-Facing Cherry MX Interference
Non-Customizable Design
Backlight Features
8.0
5.7
Backlighting Picture
Brightness Max
Backlighting
Yes
Yes
Brightness Min
White Shot
RGB
Yes
Per-Key Backlighting
No
No
Effects
Yes
Yes
Software Controllable
Yes
Yes
Color
RGB
Color Mixing
Great
Backlight Clarity
8.0
White Shot
Cable & Connector
Connectivity
Wired
Wired
Detachable
No
No
Length
5.9 ft (1.8 m)
6.1 ft (1.9 m)
Connector (Keyboard side)
Not Detachable
Not Detachable
Wireless Versatility
0.0
0.0
Bluetooth
No
No
Bluetooth Multi-Device Pairing
No
No
Proprietary Receiver
No
No
Battery Type
No Batteries
No Batteries
Macro Keys And Programming
5.5
Dedicated Macro Keys Count
0
Onboard Macro Programming
Yes
Macro Programming With Software
Yes
Extra Features
Extra Features
Media Keys
Dedicated
Hot Keys
Trackpad / Trackball
No
No
Scroll Wheel
Yes
No
Control Knob
No
USB Passthrough
No
No
Numpad
Yes
Yes
Windows Key Lock
Yes
Yes
Lock Indicator
Caps, Scroll & Num lock
Caps, Scroll & Num lock
Macro Programmable Keys
Dedicated only
In The Box
Bundle Picture
Typing Experience
Typing Quality
7.0
7.0
Key Spacing
19.0 mm (0.748")
Typing Noise
8.7
10
Typing Sample
Average Loudness
46.7 dBA
High Pitch Clicks
No
Noise
Very Quiet
Switches
Wobble Video
Switch Name
No Marketed Name
Rubber Dome
Switch Type
Rubber Dome
Feel
Tactile
Tactile
Analog
No
Keystrokes
Key Switch Actuation Graph
Key Switches
No Marketed Name
Rubber Dome
Mechanical
No
Feel
Tactile
Tactile
Operating Force
56 gf
58 gf
Actuation Force
31 gf
37 gf
Pre-Travel
2.4 mm
2.4 mm
Total Travel
3.9 mm
3.8 mm
Latency
7.8
8.8
Latency Video
Latency Wired
12.4 ms
6.1 ms
Latency Receiver
N/A
N/A
Latency Bluetooth
N/A
N/A
Performance
Single-Key Latency
7.8
8.8
Single-Key Latency Graph
Best Connection
12.4 ms
Best Connection Std Dev
±1.8 ms
Wired
12.4 ms
6.1 ms
Receiver
N/A
N/A
Bluetooth
N/A
N/A
PCB (Estimated)
10.2 ms
Multi-Key Latency
7.8
Latency Video
Multi-Key Latency Graph
Connection Evaluated
Wired
Key Press
12.2 ms
Key Release
14.9 ms
Data Transmission
6.1
Multi-Key Raw USB
Connection Evaluated
Wired
USB Polling Rate
1,000 Hz
Effective Update Rate
167 Hz
N-Key Rollover (NKRO)
No
Multiple Keys Per USB Report
Yes
Chord Split
8.2
Chord Split Graph
4 Chord Split Delay
4.7 ms
8 Chord Split Delay
14.1 ms
Software and Operating System
Configuration Software
Software Picture
Software Tour
Software Name
Steelseries Engine
ROCCAT Swarm
Software Windows Compatible
Yes
Yes
Software macOS Compatible
Yes
No
Onboard Memory
No
Yes
Profiles
6+
5
Account Required
No
Cloud Sync
No
Macro Programming
Software
Ease Of Use
Okay
Computer Compatibility
10
7.2
Windows
Fully Compatible
Full
macOS
Fully Compatible
Partial
Linux (Ubuntu 22)
Fully Compatible
Partial
Media Key Compatibility
Windows, MacOS & Linux
Android
Not Compatible
No
iOS
Not Compatible
No
iPadOS
Not Compatible
No
Wireless Mobile Compatibility
0.0
Android
Not Compatible
No
iOS
Not Compatible
No
iPadOS
Not Compatible
No
Media Key Compatibility
Not Compatible
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SteelSeries Apex 3
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Comments
SteelSeries Apex 3 vs ROCCAT Magma: Main Discussion
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